Replying to the thread generally,
Much of the federal government is not shut down now. The VA, for one example, has separate appropriations for some of its services (the most essential ones), which do not expire on September 30; many remain in place through December. Why air traffic control is not the object of a special appropriation is beyond my limited comprehension. The administration has problems with its messaging. Although the president said several things about back payments to federal workers, what he (appeared) to mean is that such funding would need to be part of whatever agreement is ultimately reached (others in the administration said as much). I would think that this is so because the money to pay such workers must come from somewhere, but the payments themselves should not be in doubt. The law is very clear: the Government Employee Fair Treatment Act of 2019 guarantees back pay for all federal employees—both those furloughed and those deemed "essential" and required to work—after a funding lapse. I will say that many federal employees, here in the Washington DC area at least, realize that these (pointless) shutdowns are inevitable, so they create a “rainy day” fund for these instances. Clearly this practice does not apply to everyone. Finally, my political friends are telling me that they expect some movement after the 18th, as some congressional leaders are looking to use the shutdown to make a political point connected with another large protest planned in DC for that day. We shall see. Old Man Wardell David Wardell (757) 561-0582 [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> <https://wardell.us/url/b5s86> <https://wardell.us/url/s9qvz> From: Doug Church via Mifnet <[email protected]> Sent: Tuesday, October 14, 2025 3:03 AM To: [email protected] Cc: Tom Windmuller <[email protected]>; Doug Church <[email protected]> Subject: [Mifnet 🛰 74495] Re: Sorry Kristi - ATC Shutdowns Simon, yes this is correct - U.S. controllers are forced to work without pay during shutdowns. Their current paycheck is a partial one that includes payment for only the dates they worked before the shutdown began two weeks ago. Their next paycheck in two weeks will be $0 unless the shutdown ends before the next pay period does. It would be illegal for controllers to strike or otherwise withhold their services out of protest during this time. They would be fired and the union could be decertified. They will be paid after the shutdown ends for the total amount of days the shutdown lasted. Unless of course President Trump decides not to pay them. He already has hinted at not paying some or all U.S. federal workers who are currently furloughed and not working during this shutdown. He would set up a battle with Congress should he decide not to pay federal workers back pay for missing paychecks during this shutdown. -Doug Church On Mon, Oct 13, 2025 at 9:56 PM Tom Windmuller via Mifnet <[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> > wrote: ……..and in the meantime, local banks and credit unions are often more forgiving (e.g. waiving late fees or allowing agreeing to skip a monthly mortgage re-payment). tom w. On Mon, 13 Oct 2025 at 22:49 bob.poole--- via Mifnet <[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> > wrote: Simon, My understanding, after enduring a growing number of partial government shut-downs, is that controllers have always been promised back pay once the shut-down is over, and have always received it. I don’t know if that is legally enforceable, but that is how it has worked each time, to the best of my non-legal knowledge. --Bob Poole From: Simon Brown via Mifnet <[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> > Sent: Monday, October 13, 2025 4:29 PM To: [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> Cc: [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> Subject: [Mifnet 🛰 74489] Re: Sorry Kristi - ATC Shutdowns I have a question about US ATC shutdowns. I understand that if the budget or whatever is not approved then the controllers don’t get paid, yet they are still expected - mandated even - to continue working. Is this correct? If so, how can it be that someone can be expected to work if they don’t get paid, even if there is a “no strike” agreement enforced in some federal contracts? If I had bills to pay for my house, car, kids’ food etc, and my contracted money isn’t coming in, then I need to find another job quickly, even if it’s just a temporary driving or labouring job to rake in some cash to keep the wolf from the door. I’d argue they’re not going on strike, they’re just fulfilling their half of a legal contract, ie no money = no work. Or have I misunderstood this? Simon From: ERIC Smith via Mifnet <[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> > Sent: 13 October 2025 18:54 To: Mifnet <[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> > Cc: ERIC Smith <[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> > Subject: [Mifnet 🛰 74482] Sorry Kristi ....Eric https://www.washingtonpost.com/transportation/2025/10/13/kristi-noem-shutdown-video/ Airports in Phoenix, Portland, Seattle and other cities have declined to display a video in which Homeland Security Secretary Kristi L. Noem blames congressional Democrats for the government shutdown and related travel delays, citing the “political nature of its content,” according to local authorities and news reports. “We continue to urge bipartisan efforts to end the government shutdown and are working to find ways to support federal employees working without pay at SEA during the shutdown,” a Port of Seattle spokesperson said in an email Monday... -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Revised: 20250507 You are receiving The Mifnet because you requested to join this list. The Mifnet is largely a labor of love, however the infrastructure isn't exactly cost-free. 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